Sofico Marathon Ambassador Program

Our day started with a group presentation and activities (all good fun) before moving onto the DEXA scan (to measure body composition) and the performance test (thankfully not as tough as the first time!). At the end we received two detailed reports, which I discuss with Aron, which confirmed what I had hoped – the programming was working! In short, the training programming has made my running pace faster for the same heart rate. My goal for the half marathon felt much more achievable now seeing this, and Aron agreed it was good to increase the training as I was responding so well. So motivating.

We ended the day with a really interesting presentation to setbacks, how to handle them and get back to your goals. By the end of the day I was tired but so full or motivation to get going again.

Sure enough, I get back home to sub-zero temperatures, a bad seasonal cold and then food poisoning! From such a high, within two weeks I came crashing back to earth… I have to admit, it wasn’t an easy period – I was way off my training program for two weeks, felt low energy and my chest was still sore from not being well. Thankfully, I remembered to setback presentation at Golazo and remembered my own experiences when things don’t go to plan.

Firstly, don’t panic. Things happen. Just remember that it’s a process and there is time to get back. Don’t rush, get back to health and you’ll be back on track in no time.

Secondly, you can’t control the weather. Stepping out of the house into minus 5 for an hour and a half run is not my idea of a laugh! So put a comedy podcast on and change the perspective – think I got a few odd looks running while laughing…

Thirdly, stay positive. When it’s cold, dark and you’re not feeling your best it’s super easy to not put the running in. However, my visual is that each training session is one step closer to Gent on 30^th March. Miss one step and I might not get there. Keep going and I’m constantly getting better and running towards my first ever half marathon in Spring (my favourite time of year).

So there’s only two months to go, I’ve had my setback and am now fully on track. Here we come Gent Marathon!

Secondly, you can run just about anywhere. It’s an enormous sense of freedom knowing that wherever you are, you can put on your shoes and just go.

I discovered this freedom one day when I took my family for a late weeks holiday to the north Norfolk coast in the UK. Another long run, I put on my shoes and followed a small gravel track towards a the Holkham Hall & Estate. Now in the times we have visited the Holkham Estate in previous holidays, we have always driven. Following this track I discovered things I would never have seen by car: nature up close (North Norfolk is one of Sir David Attenboroughs favourite parts of the world) and uninterrupted views for miles.

This photo was taken on my run back. Took a few attempts as I am still practicing taking photo while running!

Thirdly, technology. Or more specifically data. Now in my favoured sports, the clock is the key data point. In running, once I connected my Garmin to Strava, there was an ocean of data… I mean, does everyone really need this much? There are data points in my feed now that I have no idea what it means, why it would be of use to me or whether I should learn about it.

So bottom line, is this working?

While it’s still early in the process, I can say I am seeing improvements in the data (ok, I’m getting sucked in!) and how I am feeling.

My slow-paced runs are faster for the same heart rate than when I started, my technique doesn’t need me to be conscious about anymore (head up like a string is hold you up, chest out, arms back, etc – yes, I did listen Aron).

It’s a trade-off, as while my running improves my CrossFit fitness is changing. While my absolute strength and strength endurance is dropping (i’ll put that right after the half marathon) my gymnastics and metcon performance is going up. Interesting. Either way, I’m active, eating healthy and enjoying the process.

So for December and into January I’m moving up to three running sessions a week and am sure the sessions will get harder. Bring it on!

Also looking forward to seeing everyone in January s we can compare how we are all getting on.

For now, as I lace up my shoes again, it’s all going just fine. Although I will admit: I’m looking forward to it getting lighter in the evenings.

Wow… Quite the setting Planet Group Arena, home of Golazo Energy in Gent! Everything about the place was impressive: the warm welcome from the Golazo team, the facilities and even the sunshine. So, full disclosure, I’ve never been a distance runner. Ever.

Longest distance I have run in a single go was 9 miles in my twenties. My fitness interests sit well outside this space so am 100% outside my comfort zone. However, a half marathon is on my bucket list. So there really isn’t a better way to do this than starting with a team of colleagues supported by Sofico . Ok then… Let’s go!

Of course, when you get home reality strikes. First things first: sort your kit out. Garmin watch connected to Golazo Energy? Check. Now Aron can see my training runs. Do I have high-vis running gear? Rummage through my sports kit… Check. “You do realise you might be running Christmas Day dad” my kids said to me. Ah…

First run was done while my kids were at Thursday football. Was actually really enjoyable and ironed out all of the technical kinks. Sticking to the heart rate zones was the most challenging! I’ve never trained in heart rate zones as in my sports it’s time and output focussed. Strange thing is, at the end of the first run, I could ‘sense’ how the half marathon is doable. Even a marathon…

So as I wrap up this blog, I’m two runs in. Second was in Gent as I was back for a business trip. I even covered some of the marathon course.

Top tip for the team: start practicing running on cobble stone streets!

Oh so much to learn, but so far it’s a really positive experience. True I need to change the way I approach my fitness for a while but embracing new challenges keeps it varied, interesting and meeting new people (I’ve met new people in my home community that I wouldn’t have before running).

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Hugo Spalding

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